Hi Everybody!
What a marvelous community I have stumbled upon here - I thought I was alone in trying to learn how to straight-shave
Im afraid I have to jump right in with my problems:
Before deciding to purchase a straight, I had been using a Shavette/feather razor thinking this would help me to adjust to the difference between a modern razor and a straight edge. - I was able to get a very good shave from this device, so decided I was ready to "graduate" and treat myself to a "real" cut throat. Also I have done some research before begining this project, and have not gone completely blind into it.
I have been attempting to shave with the razor I purchased for the past week, having tried perhaps 4 shaves. - careful to strop before and after. -
I am dismayed to find that I cannot get the blade to cut my stubble when going with the grain, and have been patiently adjusting and re-adjusting my angle - going against the grain I do get some purchase, but not easily and not smoothly, and not happily as I would not normally go against the grain except for a very close shave on a third pass.
A little detail on the razor, - it is solingen german made, Timor blade, and I think it is full hollow or close to it.
I do use a hot flannel before the shave, and apply shave cream with a brush.
How likely is it that I may have damaged the blade somehow with my amateur stropping? - Which I do not feel I have done excessively, but I am a novice, and Im sure I was applying too much pressure at first.
Is the best advice that I keep at it and eventually with patience I will get the angle right? - I worry about continuing in case I am damaging the razor.
If I have damaged the bevel a bit with poor stropping - can I get it back without having to send away to a honemeister? (quite expensive here in the UK) - Ive not gone to town stropping on the razor... are they really that fragile?
Hopefully you can offer me some advice, and I thank you for your time.
What a marvelous community I have stumbled upon here - I thought I was alone in trying to learn how to straight-shave
Im afraid I have to jump right in with my problems:
Before deciding to purchase a straight, I had been using a Shavette/feather razor thinking this would help me to adjust to the difference between a modern razor and a straight edge. - I was able to get a very good shave from this device, so decided I was ready to "graduate" and treat myself to a "real" cut throat. Also I have done some research before begining this project, and have not gone completely blind into it.
I have been attempting to shave with the razor I purchased for the past week, having tried perhaps 4 shaves. - careful to strop before and after. -
I am dismayed to find that I cannot get the blade to cut my stubble when going with the grain, and have been patiently adjusting and re-adjusting my angle - going against the grain I do get some purchase, but not easily and not smoothly, and not happily as I would not normally go against the grain except for a very close shave on a third pass.
A little detail on the razor, - it is solingen german made, Timor blade, and I think it is full hollow or close to it.
I do use a hot flannel before the shave, and apply shave cream with a brush.
How likely is it that I may have damaged the blade somehow with my amateur stropping? - Which I do not feel I have done excessively, but I am a novice, and Im sure I was applying too much pressure at first.
Is the best advice that I keep at it and eventually with patience I will get the angle right? - I worry about continuing in case I am damaging the razor.
If I have damaged the bevel a bit with poor stropping - can I get it back without having to send away to a honemeister? (quite expensive here in the UK) - Ive not gone to town stropping on the razor... are they really that fragile?
Hopefully you can offer me some advice, and I thank you for your time.